NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) - Millenium Pharmaceuticals said Tuesday it has identified a genomic biomarker during Phase II trials of a cardiovascular disease drug.
The company said it has found that 11.3 percent of patients treated with its MLN1202 monoclonal antibody had a reduction of C-reactive protein (CRP), and that CRP reductions were more likely in patients with a SNP that was identified in 53 percent of the study population.
The company also said MLN1202 lowered CRP levels similarly in subjects on lipid-lowering agents, such as statins, compared to those not on these agents, and that MLN1202 was well-tolerated with no evidence of systemic suppressed immunity.
"The association of a genomic biomarker with the biologic activity of the investigational drug validates our approach of using biomarkers to tailor drug treatments,” Millenium CSO Nancy Simonian said in a statement.